Never Alone: Parenting in the Power of the Holy SpiritSample

Day Two: “He Makes His Home in Us”

Read Galatians 3:13-14.

Faith in Jesus is the only prerequisite to receiving God’s Spirit. When we put our faith in Christ, God’s Spirit abides within us. The Holy Spirit is freely given to those who repent and believe in Jesus.

After the Spirit indwelt the disciples at Pentecost, they began to preach with boldness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now, read Acts 2:38-39.

Peter didn’t say “might”; He said “will.” Peter didn’t say we will “earn” the gift; he said we will “receive” it. The Holy Spirit is a free gift for all who believe.

Here’s the thing: Every believer is given the gift of the Holy Spirit, but not every believer enjoys the gift.

Imagine this with me. On Christmas morning you find a wrapped gift under the tree with a tag on it. What are your choices? (1) You can read the tag, see it’s for you, unwrap the gift and enjoy it entirely. (2) You can tear the paper and take a peek but leave it wrapped because it’s not what you expected or hoped for. (3) You can leave the package under the tree untouched because you didn’t read the tag and nobody told you it was for you.

When you believe in the finished work of Christ—His life, death and resurrection—on your behalf, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your spirit. The Spirit’s indwelling presence unites you to the Son so that in Him, you receive the life and love of the Father. There is absolutely nothing ordinary or insignificant about you because as a Christian, you are home to the Holy Spirit. He lives in your inner being and works on your behalf.

I’m pretty sure we too often neglect to notice all He does and wants to do in our hearts and in our homes, and I don’t want us to miss it anymore!

Say a prayer of gratitude to God for choosing to take up residence inside you and for making all that is His, yours.